I’ve been painting for years now. I’ve taught countless watercolor lessons, written books, and built a career as a full-time artist. But even with all that experience, I still bump into moments where I feel like a beginner artist again.

And honestly? That beginner energy has become one of the most valuable parts of my creative process.

Today, I want to talk about why embracing the beginner artist within can actually make you a stronger, more joyful painter. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been at it for years, giving yourself permission to play is one of the best things you can do for your art (and your creative confidence).

The Fear of Being a Beginner

Let’s start with the hard part. Being a beginner artist can feel scary.

You don’t know all the techniques yet. Your paintings might not turn out how you imagined. Your brushstrokes feel awkward. And when you scroll through Instagram or Pinterest and see polished watercolor pieces, the gap between where you are and where you want to be feels huge.

I’ve been there. More times than I can count.

It’s tempting to compare yourself to artists who’ve been practicing for years and wonder if you’ll ever “catch up.” That pressure can stall your creative process before you even get started. You hesitate to try new things because you don’t want to mess up. You second-guess every brushstroke. And suddenly, what should feel fun starts feeling heavy.

But here’s what I’ve learned. Every artist, no matter how experienced, started in the exact same place. With shaky lines, watercolor mistakes and paintings that didn’t match the picture in their head.

Being a beginner isn’t something to avoid. It’s something to embrace.

Why Beginner Energy is Sacred

There’s something really special about beginner energy.

When you’re new to something, you approach it with curiosity. You don’t have a long list of “rules” you think you have to follow yet. You’re open to trying different art painting ideas. You experiment more. You take risks.

In beginner watercolor, that might mean playing with color mixing without worrying if you’re using the “right” shade. It might mean testing wet-on-wet washes and seeing how the paint flows. It might mean sketching loose florals or landscapes without obsessing over perfect proportions.

And yes, it might also mean making plenty of mistakes. But that’s where so much learning happens.

As we get more experienced, sometimes we lose a bit of that beginner energy. It’s easy to get caught up in doing things the “correct” way and begin judging our work more harshly. And worst of all, we stop playing.

But when I tap back into my beginner artist mindset, I feel that spark again. That openness. That sense of possibility. And often, that’s when my best creative ideas show up.

Reframing “Being Bad” as “Being Brave”

One of the biggest mindset shifts that’s helped me as a watercolor artist is learning to reframe “bad” art as brave art.

When you’re learning something new, you’re going to make mistakes. Your lines will wobble. Your colors might turn muddy. You’ll finish a painting and think, “Well… not my best.”

But instead of seeing those moments as failures, I’ve started seeing them as proof that I showed up. That I had the courage to try.

And let’s be real. I still make bad art sometimes. The difference now is I don’t let it stop me.

Every watercolor mistake is simply part of your growth as a beginner artist. Each time you pick up your brush, you’re building creative confidence. You’re training your hand. You’re learning how the paint moves. And you’re developing your eye for color and composition.

That’s not bad art. That’s brave art.

Speaking of bad art, have you ever tried making it on purpose? In this blog, I share how making “bad” art has actually helped me grow as an artist and why you should try it too!

Practical Tips to Embrace the Beginner Within

Of course, embracing the beginner artist within doesn’t mean you won’t still feel frustrated at times. But there are a few simple things I’ve found helpful when I want to keep that playful, open energy alive in my art practice.

1. Set the intention to play

Before you sit down to paint, remind yourself: this is practice, not performance. You’re here to explore, not to create a masterpiece. Honestly, some of my favorite watercolor pieces have come from play sessions with zero pressure.

2. Try quick, low-stakes exercises

Short warm-ups can be a great way to loosen up. Try filling a page with simple brushstrokes, color swatches, or mini compositions. You’re not committing to a full painting. You’re simply giving yourself permission to experiment.

This is one of the reasons I created The Creativity Playbook. It’s full of exercises designed to help you get out of your head and reconnect with your creativity.

3. Use imperfect materials

Sometimes using “nice” paper or expensive paints can add pressure. Grab a sketchbook or scrap paper for your beginner watercolor practice. When you’re not worried about wasting supplies, you’re more likely to take risks and try new techniques.

4. Keep a “bad art” folder

I keep a little folder of paintings that didn’t turn out how I hoped. Not to judge them, but to remind myself how far I’ve come. Sometimes I even flip back through old watercolor pieces and think, “Wow, I’ve really grown.” That perspective is powerful.

5. Celebrate tiny wins

Finally nailed that smooth wash? Maybe your color mix surprised you in a good way. Or you finished a piece instead of quitting halfway? Celebrate it. Those small victories build momentum and creative confidence.

The Beginner Artist Mindset Never Really Ends

Even though I’ve been painting for years now, I still circle back to beginner energy often. Every time I try a new subject, technique, or material, I become a beginner again. And that’s actually what keeps watercolor art exciting for me.

As a watercolor educator, I love seeing my students embrace this mindset too. When you let go of the fear of making mistakes, you open yourself up to so much growth. You start to see every painting as part of your creative journey, not just a finished product to critique.

Inside The Art Within, I dive even deeper into this idea. It’s not just about teaching you beginner art tips or techniques (though we cover plenty of that too). It’s about helping you build a strong foundation, trust your instincts, and develop your personal style, whether you’re a true beginner artist or just stepping into a new chapter of your art practice.

Looking to improve your watercolor skills quickly? Check out my video below!

Embracing the Beginner Artist Within

Every artist starts somewhere. And the ones who keep growing are the ones who stay open to learning, no matter how far along they are. When you give yourself permission to play, you create space for discovery, growth, and real creative joy. That’s where the best art happens.

If you’re just starting out or looking for more guidance, my free E-book, Beginner’s Guide to Watercolor is a great place to begin. You’ll find simple beginner watercolor tips to help you avoid common mistakes and build a strong foundation right from the start.

And when you’re ready to keep practicing, my Everyday Watercolor Postcards are an easy way to stay inspired. With 100 colorful postcards featuring seascapes and animals, you can paint, mail, or display them to keep your creative momentum going.

So let’s stay curious. Let’s make brave, messy, beautiful art. And most of all, let’s keep showing up.